Zambian-born Swedish striker Jack Kalichi Lahne wants to switch his international allegiance to his country of birth and play for the Chipolopolo Boys.
After four years of loan spells and nursing a lengthy injury, the 22-year-old returned to his parent club, Amiens SC, last year and is already making an impact in the French Ligue 2.
Lahne was born to Zambian parents, but after his mother passed away, he was adopted by a Swedish couple when he was very young.
“I was adopted at a very young age and I last visited Zambia when I was 14,” he told Bolanews in an interview. “I have family in Chikankata…. And I speak to my aunt here and there and I really want to reunite with them.”
Lahne, who also plays as a winger, has represented Sweden at the youth level (U17 and U19). He remains eligible to play for Chipolopolo as he has yet to appear for the Swedish senior team.
The former Häcken attacker considers it an honour to represent his country of birth, Zambia.
“To play for the country I was born in is something I really want to do. It would be so nice to return to Zambia and give back to the country in which I was born in a different way.”
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) contacted him through his agent last year, but talks went on hold due to his unfortunate injury.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone from Zambia (FAZ) directly,” Lahne disclosed. “But they did talk to my agent and unfortunately, it was at a time when I got injured… If I am called to play for Zambia, I want to give my 100%.”
Could Avram Grant be interested in Lahne?
Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has stated that he wants to see more Zambians playing in Europe.
This may prompt him to call Lahne, who has spent the majority of his career in Europe, including a stint in the French Ligue 1.
“I hope we will have more players in Europe,” Grant told journalists in Lusaka earlier this month.
“And as I said before, right now we have about eight young players playing in Europe, and I watch them. I’ve watched some live, with very good talent, and they have a very good future. There is no doubt that Europe is the best school; they have the best facilities,” added the former Chelsea FC manager.
This season, Lahne made his Amiens first start against Bordeaux, scoring what would have been the winner before the visitors equalized for a 1-1 draw at the Stade de la Licorne. He has played six games, scoring and assisting once.
He joined Amiens on loan in January 2019 until the end of the 2018-19 Ligue 1 season, then later signed a permanent contract. In November 2019, he made his Amiens debut and scored his first Ligue 1 goal against Montpellier.
Lahne was later sent on loan to the then-reigning Swedish Allsvenskan champions, AIK, until July 31, 2019.
Since then, Amiens has loaned to him Swedish clubs Örebro SK and Häcken, as well as Hungarian club Újpest. The most recent loan was with Norwegian First Division club Start, which ended last year.
With Amiens looking to return to the French Ligue 1 next season, Lahne will hope to remain in France.
The club is currently ninth in the league standings, with 42 points in 29 games.
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